All American Color Guard Suspended By Texas Tech Athletics Mid-Season

A military volunteer organization that had been planning an expanded presence at Texas Tech events says it has now suspended its support and operations involving the university, following what it describes as an unexpected decision by Texas Tech Athletics.

Get our free mobile app

The All-American Color Guard (AACG) issued a statement September 26th saying Texas Tech had ended its support and future commitments involving the organization, along with several affiliated military and charitable programs.

And according to AACG, the decision came just days before 17 active-duty military personnel were scheduled to participate in activities surrounding a Texas Tech football game.

Gene Sweeney Jr., Getty Images

What Happened Between Texas Tech and the All-American Color Guard?

According to AACG's statement, founder Jayton A. Ellis was notified by the Texas Tech University Athletic Department on September 23rd that the university was terminating support and future commitments involving AACG.

The organization says the decision also affected the Carry the Colors Foundation, the Star-Spangled Performance Program, and related military and children's hospital initiatives.

Here's where things get a little complicated.

AACG says it was told that Texas Tech's decision followed contact from an unidentified military unit that reportedly wanted to work directly with the university and specifically requested that Texas Tech stop working with AACG and its affiliated organizations.

That's AACG's account of what happened. The statement does not identify the military unit, and AACG specifically says it isn't making any determination about that unit's identity or motives until the circumstances can be investigated.

Josh Hedges, Getty Images

17 Active-Duty Military Members Were Already Committed

The timing appears to be one of AACG's biggest concerns.

According to the organization, by September 23rd it had secured 17 active-duty military personnel to participate in Texas Tech's September 26th football-game activities.

READ MORE: Does the Lubbock County Jail Have to Be Air Conditioned? Here’s What Texas Law Says

AACG says that group included senior representatives from multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and some participants had already made arrangements for airfare and lodging.

Ellis said in the organization's statement,

When military personnel volunteer their time, make travel arrangements, and commit their own resources to support an institution, they deserve transparency, communication, and respect.

AACG says it is preserving documentation involving its agreements, communications, travel arrangements and expenses while seeking further review of what happened.

AACG Has Suspended Its Texas Tech Operations

Pending additional clarification, the organization says it has suspended its planned support and operations involving Texas Tech University and affiliated programs.

However, AACG emphasized that it is not withdrawing from its broader work with the U.S. military community.

READ MORE: Lubbock's Favorite Fall Tradition Brings Beer, Food, And Family Fun To Spirit Ranch

The group says it will continue supporting active-duty personnel, Reservists, National Guard members and veterans through color guards, ceremonial programs, patriotic events, community outreach and other service initiatives around the country.

“For nearly a decade, our volunteers have answered the call to serve,” Ellis said. “We will continue doing that.”

Chris Graythen, Getty Images

The Organization Has Strong Lubbock and Texas Tech Connections

This isn't an organization with no connection to Lubbock suddenly getting involved with Texas Tech.

The All-American Color Guard was founded in 2017 by Ellis, a U.S. Navy veteran and Texas Tech graduate, and brings together active-duty, Reserve, National Guard and veteran service members for ceremonial and patriotic events.

AACG had previously announced plans to participate in multiple Texas Tech football games during the 2026 season as part of an effort to expand military representation at university events.

Now, at least for the time being, those plans appear to be on hold.

AACG says additional information will be released after further review of the circumstances and documentation involved.

There are obviously still unanswered questions here — particularly concerning the reported outside military communication and exactly what led Texas Tech to end the relationship.

For now, what we have is the All-American Color Guard's account of the situation.

And until Texas Tech or the military unit referenced in the statement provides additional information, there's another side of this Lubbock story we haven't heard yet.